Outbreak widens: Dengue spreads to Bajaur, Dir and Shangla

Activists say many patients are being treated at home.

MINGORA:

Three cases of dengue were reported from Bajaur, two from Dir and five from Shangla, said spokesperson for Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) Dr Shah Dawaran on Thursday.

Around 700 patients of dengue virus have been enlisted at STH while more than 3,000 are undergoing treatment in private clinics and hospitals of Swat.

The three patients from Bajaur are said to have contracted the virus in Mingora. “We work in Mingora. Four days ago, three of our roommates got high fever and medicines did not work so we took them to a private clinic where the doctors diagnosed them with dengue,” said Itbar Ali, a fruit vendor accompanying his peers at STH.

To assist in diagnostic tests, a Hematology Analyzer has been provided to the hospital laboratory where all the tests are being carried out for free.

According to a survey conducted by local activists, the number of dengue patients has reached 4,000. However, instead of going to hospitals, many prefer treating patients at home.

As one of the countermeasures, wide scale fumigation is being conducted throughout the district. “We have enough spray to fumigate twice,” said Nisar Khan, Tehsil Municipal Officer in Mingora, adding they have also organised awareness campaigns about dengue mosquitoes.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2013.